Jealous Devil Chunx XL Lump Charcoal 35 Pound Bag Review (2026)

What Chunx XL is made from

Jealous Devil makes this charcoal from dense South American hardwood, carbonized into large lump pieces with no chemicals, fillers, or additives added during processing. The brand markets the XL cut as a step up from its standard Chunx lump charcoal, aimed at grillers who want bigger pieces that hold heat for longer stretches. According to the manufacturer, the wood is responsibly harvested and processed into a form that burns cleaner than typical briquettes because there is no binder or starter fluid mixed into the fuel. The 35 pound bag is a paper sack rather than a plastic bag, which is common for premium lump charcoal since it lets the product breathe during storage. Because the pieces are cut extra large, expect some variation in chunk size within a single bag, which is typical of lump charcoal in general rather than a defect specific to this product.

Heat and burn time

The manufacturer states that Chunx XL can exceed 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit in the open air and hold that kind of heat for more than four hours when used uncovered on a grill. In a closed smoker with the airflow restricted, the same charcoal is rated to burn for more than twenty hours, which covers most overnight brisket or pork shoulder cooks without needing to reload fuel. That combination of high peak heat and long low and slow burn time is the main reason this charcoal is positioned above standard lump bags in its price tier. Grillers doing quick weeknight cooks may not need this much capacity, but anyone running a kamado or offset smoker for a full day of cooking benefits from not having to babysit the fuel as often as with smaller lump pieces or briquettes.

Handling the extra large pieces

The tradeoff for the long burn time is chunk size. Because Chunx XL pieces are cut larger than the brand's standard lump line, they can be difficult to fit into smaller charcoal baskets, mini kettles, or compact portable smokers without breaking a few pieces down by hand first. Owners of full size kettle grills, kamados, and offset smokers generally have enough grate space and firebox room to use the chunks as sold. A hatchet, hammer, or heavy gloves and a firm surface make quick work of splitting oversized pieces for anyone who needs smaller fuel. Low ash output is another practical benefit of dense hardwood lump charcoal like this, since less ash means less cleanup after a cook and fewer trips to empty the ash catcher during long sessions.

Value against other premium lump charcoal

Jealous Devil Chunx XL sits in the same premium lump charcoal category as brands like FOGO and BBQGuys Signature, and it typically costs more per pound than mass market briquettes or budget lump bags. Buyers are paying for denser wood, larger pieces, and a cleaner burn rather than convenience or low price. For someone who grills occasionally, a cheaper briquette bag may deliver comparable results for less money. For dedicated smokers and grillers who run long cooks regularly, the reduced need to add fuel mid cook and the lower ash output can offset the higher per pound cost over time. The 35 pound bag size also means fewer separate purchases across a grilling season compared with smaller bags.

Storage and use tips

Because the bag is paper rather than a sealed plastic pouch, Chunx XL should be stored somewhere dry, ideally in a bin or under cover, to keep the charcoal from absorbing moisture that can make it harder to light. A chimney starter is the recommended way to light any lump charcoal, including this one, since it avoids the need for lighter fluid and gets a consistent bed of coals going before the chunks go into the grill or smoker. Grillers running a kamado style cooker should note that the large chunk size works well with the narrower airflow control those grills use for long, steady cooks. Overall this is a charcoal built around long burn sessions rather than quick weeknight grilling, and it performs best when the cook matches that intent.

Frequently asked questions